COMMERCE CITY CO (ColoradoRapids.com) - Your Colorado Rapids are preparing to continue their decade-long home undefeated streak against Chicago as they host Mexican legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco and U.S. international Brian McBride along with the rest of the Fire this Saturday July 4th.

Kickoff is set for 7:00pm MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park this Saturday.

Before the match begins fans can visit the Rapids' annual free 4thFest festival outside the south end of the stadium starting at 5:00pm featuring live bands kids’ activities a beer garden and interactive games for families and fans of all ages.

The game will mark as the first encounter this year between the Rapids and the Fire.

Chicago come to Colorado sharing the exact same record as Colorado. Both teams currently sit in 4th place in their respective conferences with both clubs holding a record of 5-3-6 on 21 points.

Colorado are 11-14-5 all time vs. Chicago but hold an impressive 8-2-4 home record vs. the Fire.

Chicago have not won a road match against the Rapids in their last 10 trips to Colorado. The Rapids are 6-0-4 in the last 10 home match-ups with Chicago with their last home loss to the Fire coming back on Oct. 6 1999.

Your Rapids will look to continue their perfect play at home so far in 2009 this Saturday. They are yet to be defeated at home and hold a flawless 3-0-3 record so far this season in matches played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

In addition the Rapids hold an 11-1-1 all-time record on games played on the 4th of July having not suffered a loss on America's birthday since 1999. Every match the Rapids have played on July 4 for the last 13 years has also been at home; Colorado have never played on the road on Independence Day.

Colorado have out-scored their opponents 27-14 in contests played on July 4 as well. The Fire have challenged the Rapids twice on July 4th in history and lost on both occasions 3-2 in 2003 and 2-1 in 2000.

This will be the first match between these two clubs this season. Their next encounter will be at Toyota Park in Chicago on August 23.

This Saturday will see the return of Conor Casey who has missed the Rapids' last four games while with the U.S. National Team at the Confederations Cup. Casey still stands in the top 2 of league scorers with 8 goals in just 10 games played.

Despite Casey’s return the Rapids will not have their prolific strike force duo up top however as Saturday will be Omar Cummings' first game away while with Jamaica for the Gold Cup.

Colorado will be missing midfielder Colin Clark as well following his Gold Cup call-up for the United States.

In celebration of Independence Day the Rapids will also be hosting a postgame celebration after the game as well including a special reunion performance by The Samples and Colorado’s best fireworks show.

This Saturday night's game will be broadcast in Colorado on Altitude. Calling the game for Altitude will be Mike Hayes (play-by-play) Marcelo Balboa (color) and Peter Ruttgaizer (sidelines).

Tickets are still available for this game; if you haven't already purchased your tickets to the match now's the time to act! Fans can buy tickets online at the TicketHorse official website by clicking here.

For the full match preview of this game visit the Colorado Rapids' Official Match-Up Page featuring interactive projected lineups insider game notes head-to-head stats and the latest injury and suspension reports by clicking here!

GAME PROMOTIONS FOR SATURDAY'S HOME MATCH INCLUDE:

-4thFest Colorad Before and after the Rapids game fans can celebrate in true style with the Rapids' tradition of Independence Day Celebrations! Starting at 5pm is the Rapids' 4thFest festival outside the south end of the stadium featuring a stage with live bands interactive booths food a beer garden a kids interactive zone and free entertainment. Following the game the Rapids will host their 14th annual fireworks show the biggest and best in the state! The festival outside the stadium is free for fans to attend. For more information about 4thFest click here!

-American Heritage Night: This Saturday's game is also the Rapids' American Heritage Night! The first 2000 fans into the stadium will receive free the third poster in the club's 2009 Heritage Night Limited-Edition Signature Poster Series this game featuring the Rapids' US National Team stars Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey.

-ComBoleto Pack: The Rapids are giving fans an amazing chance to buy a ticket to the July 4th home game vs. the Fire as well as a ticket to the Rapids' international exhibition match on Wed. July 15 vs. Mexican powerhouse Club America for an incredible price. The Rapids "ComBoleto Pack" prices are either $52 or $32 depending on seat location which allows for a savings of over $8.00 per ticket. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players from around the world as well as a chance to cheer on your Rapids! Reserve your tickets now by clicking here!

-HealthONE Title Night: HealthONE will be presenting the 4thFest activities this Saturday. At halftime they will be honoring ONEderful employee of the Rapids game. HealthONE will also honor the HealthONE Family of the Game at halftime. The family will win 4 tickets to the game a facility tour and halftime recognition. For a chance to win this HealthONE promotion all you need to do is bring your family and be in attendance at the Rapids game!

-Rapids Team Posters: The Rapids Academy will be offering fans the chance to obtain the 2009 version of the Colorado Rapids official team poster at this game! The poster is free with a donation of $5.00 or more to the Rapids Academy. Rapids Team Posters are ideal for collecting signatures of all the players on the roster! Look for members of the Rapids youth teams positioned around the concourse to get your official Rapids Team Poster at the game!

-Boost Mobile is Boosting Fans: Be one of the first 1000 fans to arrive to the stadium and receive a free pair of thundersticks courtesy of Boost Mobile. Also look for booths set up outside the stadium in 4thFest where you can participate in contests and check out the latest Boost Mobile products. Don’t forget to check out the Boost Mobile setup on your way into the stadium for the game!

-All-Star Voting: Don't miss your chance to get an "I Voted" sticker when you vote for your favorite Rapids players to make the 2009 MLS All-Star Team at the game! Take the time to visit the Rapids' All-Star Voting booth on the concourse atop section 129 during the game on Saturday to vote for your Rapids to win!

-Rapids Foundation Silent Auction: Visit the Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation's silent auction during the Rapids vs. Fire game on Saturday at the table atop section 129! The Foundation is offering fans the opportunity to bid on the following exclusive items:

The silent auction will begin at 6:00 pm and close at the 70th minute of the match. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation. Don’t miss your opportunity to win one these special items and support the Rapids Foundation!

-World Cup of Wine &amp; Beer Giveaway! Visit the Community Relations Table atop section 129 on the concourse and enter to win TWO tickets to the Rapids World Cup of Wine and Beer charity event with the Rapids players and coaches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Thursday July 9 from 7:00-9:00pm. One lucky winner will be selected at the 30th minute of the Rapids vs. Chicago Fire game on Saturday July 4 and presented with two tickets on the pitch during halftime. Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the world’s wine and beer with the Colorado Rapids!